The Zoological Gardens are about a mile and a half on the new Bury road, whither the stranger can be conveyed by omnibus from Market-street. One shilling procures admission to these gardens, which are as extensive as those in Surrey, covering 15 acres of ground, and, although of recent foundation, they already contain many very fine and rare animals, including a rhinoceros, elephant, lion, tigers, &c., and a very good collection of hardy plants.
PLACES OF WORSHIP.
The Collegiate Church.—The parish church of Manchester, and generally called “The Old Church” by the inhabitants, is within a short distance of the Exchange, at the foot of Market-street, whence the stranger, by passing through the Market Place and Old Millgate, will find himself at the principal gateway to the church-yard, which is always open. The church is a fine old edifice; in the choir are some curious carvings in wood; the canopies for the stalls show the taste of the artist in tracery. The altar piece is a relic of the loom,—a faded pictorial representation on tapestry, of which the colours and forms are now obscured by the touch of time. There are in the church several enclosed chapels; amongst others, one of the Earls of Derby. In the south transept, near the entrance to the registry, is the spot where, for a few short weeks, rested the remains of the gifted and hapless Malibran,—since removed to the church of Lacken, near Brussels. Passing thence to the registry, is a mural monument, in white marble, by Chantrey. Adjoining the registry is the chapter-house,—the ecclesiastical government of the parish being vested in a warden, and four fellows constitute the chapter, and who will probably be appointed dean and canons, when the see of Manchester is erected. The parish of Manchester is of great extent, including upwards of thirty townships.
Of the other churches in the town our limits admit but of a brief notice.
St. Ann’s, in St. Ann’s Square, is an example of the anomalies of some ancient parishes,—it forms, with its grave-yard, a parish of itself; and, we believe, though standing in the very heart of Manchester, it counts but one house in its parish.
St. Mary’s, in St. Mary’s Street, Deansgate, has a very fine spire, surmounted by a ball. This was the scene of a feat of one of the Woottons, the steeple climbers, who, by some simple apparatus, as ropes, climbed up the giddy height, and removed the old ball and cross, which had been damaged by lightning.
St. Paul’s, in Turner-street, has no architectural pretensions, or other claims to special notice.
St. John’s, St. John’s Street, Deansgate, is a plain, brick edifice, once the scene of the pastoral labours of the Rev. John Clowes, a disciple of Emanuel Swedenborg.
St. James’s, St. James’s Street, is a brick building.
St. Peter’s, at the foot of Mosley-street, a handsome stone edifice, resembling a Grecian temple.